Star-Ledger file photoSteve Rothman (D-9th Dist.) (left) and Scott Garrett (R-5th Dist.) would have to face off in a competitive district if the Democrats' Congressional redistricting map is chosen.

TRENTON — As the process to redraw the state's congressional districts comes to a close, Democrats have submitted a map in which U.S. Reps. Scott Garrett (R-5th Dist.) and Steve Rothman (D-9th Dist.) would face off in a competitive district, according to two Democrats with knowledge of their party's plan.

The map is the Democrats' final proposal to tiebreaker John Farmer, Jr., who is expected to pick between theirs and the Republicans' today. Republicans have also submitted a final map, though it's less clear what it contains.

The Democrats who explained what was in the map requested anonymity because were not authorized to speak about it in advance of Farmer's decision, which could come today.

New Jersey's population growth did not keep pace with states in the south and the west, meaning the state is losing a seat in the House of Representatives while faster-growing states are gaining seats. In this case, the ousted congressman would be either Garrett or Rothman.

The two Democrats said their map would give no political advantage to either Garrett or Rothman, making for an election battle next year between two veteran congressmen who have amassed substantial campaign war chests but who are used to coasting to reelection by double-digit margins every two-years.

Garrett is the most conservative Republican in the delegation who is popular with the tea party, while Rothman is liberal on domestic issues who was one of New Jersey's earliest high profile backers of President Obama.

The state's other congressional districts would all change under the Democrats' map, but their political makeup would not change drastically, according to the Democrats.

The congressional redistricting commission is made up six Republicans, six Democrats and Farmer. They have spent the last several days holed up in separate conference rooms at the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick.